Data Sources

Published

August 30, 2025

1. Port of Los Angeles – Monthly Container Statistics

Data Source: Port of Los Angeles – Statistics

2024 Port of LA Monthly TEUs 2024 Port of LA Monthly TEUs

Description:
This dataset contains monthly container throughput (TEU) at the Port of Los Angeles from January 1995 to December 2024.
The data includes detailed breakdowns:

  • Loaded Imports

  • Empty Imports

  • Total Imports

  • Loaded Exports

  • Empty Exports

  • Total Exports

  • Total TEUs

2. Energy & Currency Factors

2.1 WTI Oil Price (WTISPLC)

Data Source: FRED – Spot Crude Oil Price: West Texas Intermediate (WTI)

WTI Crude Oil Price
WTI Crude Oil Price (Monthly), Source: FRED

Description:
This dataset contains the monthly spot price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil, expressed in U.S. dollars per barrel.
The series covers January 1946 to the present (latest data available: 2025) and is maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).

As a key indicator of energy costs, WTI oil prices strongly influence global shipping and logistics expenses.
In this project, the WTI series will be used as an external variable to study how fluctuations in fuel costs impact the Port of Los Angeles container throughput (TEUs).

2.2 Brent Crude Oil Price (MCOILBRENTEU)

Data Source: FRED – Crude Oil Prices: Brent – Europe (MCOILBRENTEU)

Brent Crude Oil Price
Brent Crude Oil Price (Monthly), Source: FRED

Description:
This dataset contains the monthly spot price of Brent crude oil, expressed in U.S. dollars per barrel.
The series covers May 1987 to the present (latest data available: 2025) and is maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).

Brent crude serves as the global benchmark for oil prices, complementing WTI as the U.S. benchmark.
In this project, the Brent series will be used to compare with WTI and analyze how global energy price movements influence container throughput at the Port of Los Angeles.

2.3 U.S. Dollar Index (DTWEXBGS)

Data Source: FRED – Nominal Broad U.S. Dollar Index (DTWEXBGS)

U.S. Dollar Index
U.S. Dollar Index (Monthly), Source: FRED

Description:
This dataset contains the Nominal Broad U.S. Dollar Index, a trade-weighted measure of the value of the U.S. dollar relative to a broad set of foreign currencies.
The series covers January 2006 to the present (latest data available: 2025) and is maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).

The U.S. Dollar Index is a critical financial indicator because it reflects currency strength and influences U.S. trade competitiveness.
In this project, the index will be used as an external driver to study how exchange rate fluctuations affect the Port of Los Angeles container throughput (TEUs), especially in terms of imports and exports.

2.4 RMB/USD Exchange Rate (DEXCHUS)

Data Source: FRED – China / U.S. Foreign Exchange Rate (DEXCHUS)

RMB/USD Exchange Rate
RMB/USD Exchange Rate (CNY per USD, Monthly Average), Source: FRED

Description:
This dataset contains the China / U.S. foreign exchange rate (CNY per USD), provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED).
The series covers January 1981 to the present (latest data available: 2025), with daily frequency that can be aggregated to monthly averages for analysis.

The RMB/USD exchange rate is a critical variable for studying U.S.–China trade flows.
A depreciation of the RMB (more CNY per USD) makes Chinese exports cheaper, potentially increasing U.S. imports through the Port of Los Angeles.
Conversely, an appreciation of the RMB makes Chinese exports more expensive, potentially reducing container throughput.
In this project, the exchange rate will be used as an external driver to analyze its influence on the Port of Los Angeles TEU volumes.

3. Supply Chain & Policy Shocks

3.1 Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI)

Data Source: New York Fed – Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI)
Download Link: GSCPI Monthly Data (Excel)

Global Supply Chain Pressure Index
Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (Monthly), Source: NY Fed

Description:
The GSCPI is a composite monthly index measuring global supply chain pressure, incorporating factors like sea and air freight costs, delivery times, inventory backlogs, and manufacturing PMI components. It covers January 1997 to present, with recent months updated regularly. A higher index value indicates greater stress in global supply chains.

In this project, the GSCPI will be used as an external variable to analyze whether increased supply chain disruptions correspond with changes in container throughput at the Port of Los Angeles.

3.2 COVID-19 Stringency Index (U.S. & China)

Data Source: Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT)

COVID-19 Stringency Index – U.S. vs China
Monthly average Stringency Index for the United States and China, Source: OxCGRT

Description:
This dataset provides the COVID-19 Government Response Stringency Index (0–100), compiled by the University of Oxford. The index measures the strictness of government containment policies, including school closures, travel restrictions, stay-at-home requirements, and public information campaigns.
- United States (USA): Represents demand-side disruptions, reflecting domestic policy restrictions that affected U.S. imports and consumption.
- China (CHN): Represents supply-side disruptions, reflecting export-side constraints caused by factory shutdowns, port closures, and mobility restrictions.

The data are available daily from January 2020 to the present. For this project, they are aggregated to monthly averages to align with the Port of Los Angeles container throughput (TEUs).

3.3 Tariff-Weighted Index (Advanced Tariff Shock Indicator)

Data Source: Section 301 Tariff Lists - USTR – Section 301 Tariff Lists (List 1–4 dollar coverage) :contentReferenceoaicite:4

  • Tariff Rates: List 1 & List 2 = 25%; List 3 ≈ 15% (10% → 25% average); List 4 ≈ 15% :contentReferenceoaicite:5

Calculation:

List Coverage (USD billions) Tariff Rate (%) Weighted Value
1 34 25 8.5
2 16 25 4.0
3 200 15 30.0
4 300 15 45.0

Cumulative index over time: - 2018-07 → 8.5
- 2018-08 → 12.5
- 2018-09 → 42.5
- 2019-09 → 87.5

Description:
The Tariff-Weighted Index reflects both the magnitude (dollar value) and intensity (tariff rate) of U.S. Section 301 actions against Chinese imports. This continuous measure provides a nuanced view of policy-induced trade shocks over time, rather than a simple 0/1 indicator.

4. Financial Market & Demand Indicators

4.1 S&P 500 Index (SP500)

Data Source: FRED – S&P 500

S&P 500 Index
Daily S&P 500 Index (aggregated to monthly for analysis). Source: FRED

Description:
This dataset provides the S&P 500 Index, a broad gauge of U.S. equity market performance and risk sentiment.
Daily data will be aggregated to monthly to align with port TEU frequency.

4.2 Dow Jones Transportation Average (^DJT)

Data Source: Yahoo Finance – ^DJT

Dow Jones Transportation / IYT
Transportation stocks index (or IYT ETF) as a logistics/transport proxy. Source: Yahoo Finance

Description:
The Dow Jones Transportation Average (or IYT ETF) tracks transportation-related companies (airlines, rails, trucking).
It captures investor expectations for logistics activity and freight demand.

4.3 U.S. Retail & Food Services Sales (RSAFS)

Data Source: FRED – Retail and Food Services Sales (RSAFS)

U.S. Retail Sales
Monthly U.S. Retail & Food Services Sales (seasonally adjusted). Source: FRED

Description:
Monthly retail spending (seasonally adjusted, billions of dollars).
It reflects household demand and import pull-through, especially for consumer goods arriving via West Coast ports.